Arrest made in slaying

Stockton shooting suspect found in Tracy motel room

STOCKTON - Children at Weber Point squealed with joy as they dodged bursts of water from stone fountains Friday afternoon. As they blissfully enjoyed the moderate heat of a summer day, Mary Ramona-Rigmaden stood 30 yards away, clutching a picture of her recently slain son as she grappled to make sense of her loss.

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By Jordan Guinn

recordnet.com

By Jordan Guinn

Posted Jul. 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 28, 2012 at 4:58 PM

By Jordan Guinn

Posted Jul. 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 28, 2012 at 4:58 PM

» Social News

STOCKTON - Children at Weber Point squealed with joy as they dodged bursts of water from stone fountains Friday afternoon. As they blissfully enjoyed the moderate heat of a summer day, Mary Ramona-Rigmaden stood 30 yards away, clutching a picture of her recently slain son as she grappled to make sense of her loss.

Beside her stood her husband of nine years, Loummba Rigmaden, who helped her raise Manuel Roybal, 18. The teenager and father of one died from gunfire Tuesday afternoon in north Stockton after being attacked in the 5800 block of Kermit Lane. Police made an arrest in the case Thursday. Roybal had one year left at Edison High School and dreamed of being a running back for Oregon State University, but now the family is coping with a sudden and senseless loss, his mother said.

"I haven't slept well since it happened; I'm just doing what I have to do in order to make arrangements," Ramona-Rigmaden said. "I haven't seen his body yet, and I don't know what I'll do when that happens."

Roybal spent part of his childhood in Compton before moving with his mother and sisters to Stockton. Loummba Rigmaden came into Roybal's life when he was a child of 6. Rigmaden filled the role of father. He coached some of the child's Pop Warner football teams and instilled values such as self-reliance and responsibility.

"He wasn't a thug or anything like that," Rigmaden said.

Roybal's slaying remains under investigation, but police announced Friday the arrest of Elazer Black, 18, in connection with the teen's death.

Black was quickly identified as a suspect, and authorities issued a warrant for his arrest. Police say he was arrested with help of a U.S. Marshal's Task Force, which tracked the teen to a Tracy motel at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Black is accused of walking to Roybal's car at 12:38 p.m. Tuesday and shooting the teen. Roybal's parents say the attack took place in front of his girlfriend, who drove him to Kaiser Permanente. An ambulance then took Roybal to St. Joseph's Hospital, where he died as a result of his injuries.

Police have not yet declared a motive and confirmed Roybal had no criminal background or gang affiliations.

Although the family is angry at the man police suspect took Roybal from them, they hold no ill will toward his relatives.

"He's so young, too," Rigmaden said of Black. "We want his family to know we're praying for them, because they are losing a child as well."

It is not the first time Roybal's parents have lost a loved one to gunfire. They served as legal guardians for James Rivera Jr., 16, before he was shot and killed by authorities in July 2010. An investigation into that shooting ultimately ruled those involved were justified in using lethal force. Despite the public criticisms raised against the officers who fatally shot Rivera, Roybal's parents say they truly appreciate the detectives who tracked down the man possibly responsible for their son's death.

They intend to appear at every trial hearing for Black.

Roybal's parents said his 18-month-old daughter, Sa'majanaee Kei'mora Roybal, will be raised by their son's ex-girlfriend. However, they say they want to help out the young mother however and whenever they can. They said it's their responsibility to make sure the child knows who her father was.

"She recognizes him in photos," said Ramona-Rigmaden. "She will see a picture of him and say 'Da Da.' But we will be there for the girl's mother. We will take over the part of father."